Thai Rubbing from the West Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok; Rama Asks Sugrib to Decide Punishment for Hanuman and Nilabad; forms complete illustration with 1960.4.87
Showing posts with label rubbings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rubbings. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Friday, February 22, 2019
Image: Hanuman Kills Ravana's Sons
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Kills the Thousand Sons of Dasakantha
Incensed, the demon king sends out his one thousand seven-faced sons, Pan Sahatsa Kuman, to deal with the monkey. They find Hanuman breaking the last of the trees in the devastated park and surround him.
"Little hooligan," they shout, "just what do you think you're doing?"
"Kindly step closer, my multi-faced friends, and Hanuman will show you," the Son of the Wind retorts.
At this impertinence, with much grinding of teeth, the Pan Sahatsa Kuman attack Hanuman. They might as well have set about a cloud in heaven. Hanuman is everywhere, snapping swords and catching arrows in midair, overturning chariots and choking lions. The demons he thumps, snaps, breaks, cracks, chokes, disembowels, chops into pieces and, in short, deals with them so violently that within a very brief space of time there is not one of the thousand left alive.
Image: Indrajit Fires Snake-Arrows at Hanuman
Thai Rubbing from the South Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Dasakantha's Son Indrajit Aids Giants with His Bow
When Totsagan hears what has happened, his grief and fury are boundless. Rushing from his Diamond Palace, he calls on his son Intorachit to destroy the monkey.
Now Intorachit is an extremely powerful warrior with the defeat of Phra In himself to his credit. Armed as he is with discus and bow, both weapons of miraculous powers, there is no reason to suppose he will be beaten.
Mounted in his war chariot and accompanied by his bodyguards, he drives out to the park. Hanuman, surrounded by corpses, is still there.
"Whoever you may be," says Intorachit, "prepare to die at my hands."
When he hears this, the Son of the Wind hoots with laughter. "This is all my own work," he says, indicating the broken trees and the dead bodies. "I did it without any help whatsoever. Do you imagine I'm going to tremble at your threats?"
By way of reply, Intorachit sends a hail of arrows at the mocking monkey. Hanuman catches them effortlessly, snaps them in half and throws them back at the demon's feet. Then he leaps up and plays havoc among Intorachit's retinue, overturning and smashing the chariots, killing the lions and putting the drivers to flight.
Image: Hanuman Kills Longka's Guardians
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Fighting the Giants at the Gates of Lanka
Hanuman Kills Longka's Guardians
(Wat Pho in Bangkok)
But no sooner has he put paid to the last of the watchmen than the guardian spirit of Longka, a monster with four faces, each uniquely horrible, and eight club-bearing arms leans out of the clouds and picks Hanuman up, sniffing him over.
"What have we got here," the demon mumbles to himself peering closely at the monkey. "Some new kind of rabbit, maybe." He suffers from myopia.
"Rabbit !" yells Hanuman furiously. "Know that I'm the invincible Hanuman, and meet your end." He wrenches himself free of the monster's grip and sets about him with his sword. In no time at all, Longka is without a guardian spirit. Wasting no ceremony on the matter, Hanuman picks up the body and throws it into the ocean.
"Rabbit !" he mutters.
Image: Hanuman Kills Four Watchmen
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Defeating the Giant Guardians of Lanka
Very soon Hanuman sees the spires and walls of Longka city, and coming down to earth changes himself back into his forest form. Boldly he marches up to the main gate of the city and makes as if to enter. Four watchmen lounging at the gate call out to him sharply, "Where are you going, little monkey? Don't you know this is the city of the demon king? Be off with you to the forest, before we set about you."
"Little monkey !" chokes Hanuman, enraged at this incivility. "We'll see about that." He draws his sword and in short time so carves the four demons that their own mothers would not recognize them.
Image: Hanuman Wreck's Ravana's Park
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Uproots Trees in Dasakantha's Garden as Giants Try to Catch Him
Image: Hanuman Kills the Park Watchmen
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Kills Many Giants
Hanuman decides to have some fun before leaving Longka. He runs through the park, breaking down fruit trees and uprooting bushes and shrubs and raising a terrible hullabaloo. The watchmen, after getting over their astonishment that a little white monkey can create so much havoc, fire arrows at him. Hanuman merely laughs and, when he tires of dodging their arrows, leaps down among them, doing terrible carnage with his sword. The survivors among the watchmen flee to Totsagan to tell him about the destructive intruder.
Image: Hanuman and Indrajit's Snake Arrows
Thai Rubbing from the South Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Indrajit's Arrow Becomes a Snake Around Hanuman
Image: Hanuman and Nang Sida
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Shows Rama's Signet Ring and Brings Sita News of Rama's Marching Against Lanka
But the Son of the Wind has followed her, puzzled as to what she is doing. Now he leaps into the tree and unties the cord so that Nang Seeda falls unconscious to the ground. As she recovers her senses, Hanuman prostrates himself at her feet, saying as he does so, "Look, I know I deserve all kinds of punishment for thwarting the will of the queen, but the fact of the matter is Phra Ram has given me a message to deliver to you and in the circumstances I don't see what else I could have done. One way and another I should have been in trouble, so I hope you'll excuse me for interfering." And still grumbling, he hands her the tokens and delivers his message as best he can.
Nang Seeda is by no means convinced that the tokens come from Phra Ram. "I have only your word you are one of Phra Narai's soldiers," she tells Hanuman. "But I don't recognize you, and these tokens could have been found by anyone. I'm afraid you are one of Totsagan's brood, saving me for your master's evil ends."
This is just what the shrewd monkey has been expecting her to say, so now he repeats Phra Ram's description of his first meeting with Seeda in Mitila town. Hearing it, Seeda is convinced and weeps.
Hanuman's embassy is now completed, but before leaving he urges Nang Seeda to accompany him. She refuses.
"It is ordained that Phra Ram must first slay the demons; then we shall be reunited. Tell him what I have said. And tell him that my love will wait for him."
And having said this, Nang Seeda returns sadly to her pavilion.
Image: Hanuman Kills Indrajit's Retainers
Thai Rubbing from the South Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Continuing to Kill Giants
Hanuman Kills Indrajit's Retainers
(Wat Pho in Bangkok)
The demon prince now selects his Nakabat arrow, bends his bow and fires it at Hanuman. The arrow changes in midair into hundreds of hissing snakes which entwine themselves about the monkey's limbs. If he wishes to do so Hanuman can easily free himself; but instead, after putting up token resistance, that is, killing the majority of the demon's bodyguard and personal retainers, he pretends to be bound fast by the serpents, and submits to Intorachit.
Proudly the demon prince orders his surviving warriors to bring the captive Hanuman before Totsagan.
Image: Executioner Breaks Spear on Hanuman
Thai Rubbing from the South Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Continuing to Kill Giants
Totsagan is delighted with his son's victory. He praises Intorachit before the assembled demon court and then orders Hanuman to be taken to the place of execution. The court executioner is told to impale the monkey on an iron spear. With all due ceremony the executioner prepares to dispatch the meekly kneeling monkey, but to the astonishment of one and all, when he lunges at Hanuman with all his might the intended victim is unharmed, and the spear blade is snapped from its shaft.
"Too bad," says Hanuman sympathetically, "try again."
The demons need no encouragement. A lance is quickly produced, and the executioner darts it at the monkey. It shatters to a hundred pieces.
"Tut-tut," says Hanuman.
A javelin is tried and shivered. A trident makes no impression, while a mace, an axe and a club used successively strike sparks off Hanuman's diamond head but otherwise have no effect on the patient monkey.
As the demons debate what to try next, Hanuman springs up, showers the broken weapons on the bystanders and proceeds to make mincemeat of the executioner. Just as suddenly he drops back to his knees, and with a most contrite expression says, "Please don't be discouraged. Have another try."
Image: Hanuman Kills the Sea-Demon
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Defeating the She-Demon Sua Samut on His Way to Lanka
Just off the coast of Longka, cradled in the billows of the ocean, lies the hideous she-demon Pee Sua Samut. She is the guardian of the island, appointed by Totsagan himself, and, on seeing Hanuman, her eyes smolders like coals and her great teeth clash. She springs up into the air, swinging her club and roaring.
The little monkey sees that words will be useless. Holding tightly onto his sword he enters her open mouth. Like a bumblebee in a cauldron, he flies round inside her head, and then in a flash he is down in the demon's stomach. A quick slash of his blade, and out he tumbles, none the worse for his adventure. Pee Sua Samut, without even knowing what has happened, collapses lifeless into the reddening waters, food for the fishes.
Hanuman wipes his sword nonchalantly. "So much for that," he says to himself, flying on.
Image: Hanuman and Sugriva with Rama
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Sugrib Asking Rama's Help to Avenge His Wife Tara (on the right), Ravished by His Brother Bali
For some time the grief-stricken royal brothers wander through the forest, from Sadayu learning the identity of Seeda's abductor and from giants whom they defeat that they can hope to gain allies for their campaign against Longka from the monkey kingdoms of Keetkin and Chompoo.
Eventually they come to the grove where Hanuman, the magic monkey, is meditating. The Wind God Phra Pai stirs up a breeze in which he has skillfully combined the scents of many flowers, and the two heroes, overtaken by an irresistible lassitude, lie down under a large and shady tree and sleep. Hanuman, having broken off his meditation to collect some fruit, comes on them and, curious to know who they can be, throws down pieces of twig onto the sleepers.
Phra Lak awakes and, seeing the little white monkey on the branch above, reaches up a hand to catch it. Hanuman skips onto a higher branch, however, and dances this way and that as Lak tries to dislodge him with the end of his bow. Phra Ram awakes and immediately recognizes the monkey with its diamond pelt, brilliant earrings, and jeweled teeth as the talented Hanuman. The Son of the Wind for his part looks down at Phra Ram and sees that he has been recognized, thinking to himself, "This fine prince knows who I am, so it must be the god I've been instructed to serve, Phra Narai." Delighted to have met his future master, Hanuman swings down out of the tree and prostrates himself before Phra Ram, while the favorite of Isuan, no less pleased to have at last encountered the able monkey, strokes Hanuman's back. When the formalities have been observed, Hatiuman fetches and introduces his uncle Sukreep to Phra Ram, explaining that it has been ordained that as Phra Narai he shall end the life of the unrighteous king of Keetkin, Palee, and elevate Sukreep to the vacant throne.
Phra Ram agrees to help Sukreep, and it is arranged that in the course of a fight between the two brothers, Phra Ram, as the divine Narai, shall shoot Palee from ambush with the arrow Promat.
Image: Hanuman Meets the Hermit
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Increasing in Size to Test the Rishi Narada's Powers
On arriving at the island of Longka, Hanuman decides against going direct to the demon city and lands in stead on the Solot Hills, where the hermit Nart lives. Having taken on the appearance of an ordinary woodland monkey, Hanuman approaches the hermit and greets him diffidently. He spins him a likely story to account for his leaving the forests of the mainland and then says with an assumed frankness, "To tell the truth, I've heard that Longka is a place where one can advance oneself and at the same time have some fun. I must say, I hope to get a position with the demon king and perhaps earn myself a wife." The hermit laughs at the ingenuous monkey and tells him that if he has dealings with the demons of Longka, he will be lucky to escape with the hide on his back. As to winning a wife, well, he just roars with laughter at the very idea. Still chuckling to himself, the hermit tells Hanuman he may put up for the night at his nearby meditation cell, and advises him to change his mind about going to the demon city before the new day dawns.
Image: Hanuman Bursts His Cell
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Begs Rishi Narada's Mercy to be Freed of a Leech [seems to be reversed with 1960.4.20 in order of narrative]
More than a little nettled at the old man's condescension, Hanuman decides to play a trick on him. Waiting until Nart is asleep, Hanuman enlarges his body and then calls out plaintively, "Wise one, here's a fine state of affairs. I appeal to your generosity as a host, and what do I get? A cell so miserably small that it almost crushes me to death." Nart, astonished at the size to which the monkey has grown, gets out his book of incantations, picks out an appropriate spell, and enlarges the cell. No sooner has he settled to sleep, however, than Hanumar again increases his size and again calls out, "My good hermit, how can I be expected to get any rest in this miserable box?" And once more, Nart enlarges the cell. But when Hanuman tries the trick for a third time, and shatters the cell like an eggshell, the old man calls down a torrent of icy rain that soaks through Hanuman' pelt and makes his teeth chatter furiously. Outsmarted, the monkey. apologizes to the old man and, mollified Nart kindles a magic fire to dry him out. They then retire once more and sleep the rest of the night through.
Image: Hanuman and the Leech
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Attacked By Leech [seems to be reversed with 1960.4.20 in order of narrative]
Hermit Nart gets up before dawn and goes down to the pool to wash and prepare himself for meditation. Remembering the trouble his guest has given him during the night, he throws his stick into the pool and changes it into a leech. Chuckling to himself, he goes away. Hanuman is up with the lark. Down he goes to the pool and ducks his face under the water to give it a good wash. The leech fixes itself to his chin, and the Son of the Wind discovers that all his efforts to remove it are in vain. In a panic he rushes to the hermit, throws himself at his feet and implores the old man to have pity on him. Nart takes hold of the leech, mutters a spell and, presto there is the stick in his hand. He smiles down at Hanuman. "Let that be a lesson, my good monkey," he says.
Hanuman takes his leave of the hermit and flies off, somewhat chastened, to the city of Longka.
Image: Hanuman Flies to Longka
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Taking Leave of Rishi Narada on His Way to Lanka
Image: Hanuman Sees Ravana and Mandodari
Thai Rubbing from the East Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Mistakes Mando for Sita in Dasakantha's Arms but Is Distracted from Killing Him by the Call of a Lizard
To avoid further encounters of this kind, Hanuman sings an incantation that puts the entire town to sleep. Unhindered, he is now able to pass on foot through the streets on his way to Totsagan's palace, where he expects to find Nang Seeda. Everywhere, in the streets, in the market and in their houses, the demons are stretched out asleep. The Son of the Wind enters the palace without difficulty, passing one gate after another until he comes to Totsagan's inner sanctum, and there, in the sleeping chamber, there is the demon king himself, and in his arms a woman of the most exquisite beauty. Enraged at the thought that Totsagan has been enjoying Phra Ram's wife, Hanuman growls and lifts his sword. But just at this moment, from somewhere out of the silence a gecko raises its warning cluck. Hanuman pauses, lowers his sword, and looks closer. The woman is Nang Monto, he sees now, the demon's legitimate wife.
The monkey continues the search for Nang Seeda, growing more and more impatient as the time passes. Having drawn a blank everywhere, he returns to the hermit's but and asks Nart where he might find Phra Ram's queen.
"If you were not such an impatient monkey and didn't have such a high opinion of yourself, I might have told you where to find Nang Seeda in the first place," says Nart. "As it happens, she is being kept in Totsagan's park, just outside the city walls."
Pausing only long enough to thank the hermit, Hanuman sweeps up into the air. He quickly finds the park. Changing himself into a common monkey once more, he swings through the trees until he comes upon Nang Seeda.
Image: Hanuman Kills Indrajit's Soldiers
Thai Rubbing from the South Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Frees Himself of Snake and Kills Giants
Image: Hanuman Fights an Elephant
Thai Rubbing from the South Wall of the Temple of Wat Po, Bangkok: Hanuman Kills Giants and the Elephant They Ride
Thoroughly alarmed by this time, Totsagan consults with his courtiers to discover a sure method of killing the apparently invulnerable captive. His chief adviser whispers in his ear. Totsagan smiles and nods approval. Messengers hurry away at the demon's bidding, and all eyes turn to the door of the courtyard.
There is a wild trumpeting, the doors open, and in lumbers a huge bull elephant. The beast is in musth and, seeing Hanuman in the center of the courtyard and goaded on by its mahout, bellows again wildly. Hanuman calmly lays himself flat on the ground and permits the beast to trample and kneel on him to its heart's content. But when he tires of its ineffectual stomping, what does the Son of the Wind do? Up he leaps with a great cry, hurls the mahout to death on the flags of the yard, and tears the head off the elephant with as little effort as if he were dealing with a fly. He throws the bloody head among the courtiers. "What next?" he enquires cheerfully.
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